A Guide to Villa Holidays in Crete: Everything You Need to Know
Introduction
Crete is the ideal destination for villa holidays if you are looking for privacy and high-end amenities, while still feeling part of local life. Often off the beaten track, luxury villas in Crete are becoming extremely popular as holiday makers search for ‘slow living’ away from hotels and resorts, which are inevitably crowded.
Crete is a laid-back country with golden beaches, turquoise seas, towering mountains, spectacular gorges, and intriguing caves.
It has an ancient history dating back to the advanced Minoan civilisation, starting around 3000 B.C. There are archaeological sites to explore and museums to visit, where you can learn about the island's history. Occupied by the Byzantines, the Venetians, and finally, the Ottomans, you will find reminders of each era in the main cities.
Crete villa holidays are a superior choice for couples, families, or groups of friends. You will see more of the Mediterranean lifestyle if you are staying close to a traditional village rather than in an all-inclusive hotel.
This Crete travel guide is a comprehensive resource which will help you understand the island, as well as show you the management and coordination of booking villas in Crete.
Why Choose a Villa Holiday in Crete
Luxury villa holidays in Crete offer the privacy you don't get in a hotel. You have personal space without strangers intruding. Most villas in Crete have their own pool, so you will always be assured of a sun lounger and can have a late-night swim in private.
Holiday villas in Crete have secluded terraces so you won’t be overlooked by other people. There are no busy hallways and crowded restaurants that you would find in a hotel.
Crete villa holidays offer the comforts of home with laundry facilities, fully equipped kitchens, and barbecue areas, allowing you to create delicious meals using traditional Cretan ingredients from the local farmers' markets. There is also the option of having a personal chef for all or part of your stay.
Many luxury villas in Crete offer services such as spa treatments and tours tailored to your interests, including wine and olive oil tastings as well as history and cultural excursions.
Bnbstay carefully chooses properties that have local character combined with high-end amenities. Luxury villas in Crete combine genuine regional architecture and decor with modern luxuries, such as up-to-date home technology, air conditioning, and infinity pools, allowing you to immerse yourself in the culture while still living in comfort.
Locations are chosen for their authentic atmosphere, for example, quiet hillsides with mountain views, or villages with proximity to the sea. At the same time, they provide excellent security.
Crete villa holidays are cost-effective compared to hotels of the same quality, particularly if you are a family or group of friends who would otherwise book multiple rooms in a hotel.
Holiday villas offer a ‘slow living’ experience. Take your time to enjoy breakfast, to sit on the terrace admiring the views, and to appreciate the quiet. Relish the Mediterranean indoor-outdoor way of life away from the hustle and bustle of a hotel.
Unlike hotels, luxury Crete villas for rent offer freedom to do whatever you want, when you want. You have personal space to enjoy private dining and peaceful evenings watching the sun set over the horizon. The pace is set by you, not by others, giving you a feeling of being in a home-away-from-home.
Choosing the Perfect Area of Crete
Crete has an extraordinary geographical diversity with both sub-tropical coastlines and imposing snow-covered mountains. There are three mountain ranges dividing the north coast from the south, with winding roads traversing them. To the west are the White Mountains (called Lefka Ori in Greek), in the middle is the Ida range, and to the east are the Dikti Mountains. There are more than 30 summits, the highest being Mount Ida, called Psiloritis, by the locals. It reaches a height of 2456 metres (8058 feet). In between are fertile plains and deep gorges, such as the well-hiked Samaria gorge, which is 16 km (about 10 miles) long.
There is also 1000 km (roughly 621 miles) of coastline. The northern coast is more developed than the south, with sandy beaches and resorts, and is where the main cities in the country are located. The south is more rugged and is characterised by sheer cliffs rising from the Libyan sea.
While enjoying villa holidays, you may be interested in finding out more about the history of Crete. The cities along the North coast are a compelling blend of ancient Minoan history, Venetian rule, and the influence of the Ottomans. Heraklion, the capital of the island, is close to the Minoan palaces of Knossos and has the superb Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Both Venetian and Ottoman history are prevalent in Rethymnon, with its beautiful Old Town and the Fortezza Castle.
Chania, previously the capital of Crete and located to the west of the island, offers a stunning Venetian harbour, a long maritime history, and adjacency to World War II sites.
Villas in Crete with a private pool are common, but you may also want to take advantage of the stunning beaches. Although there are many fantastic beaches throughout the island, the best are to be found west of Chania. These include Balos, a striking beach with Caribbean-like water. Elafonisi, in the southwest, is renowned for its pink sand and shallow waters.
Crete villa holidays offer the opportunity to be flexible when dining. You can cook for yourself, hire a private chef, or visit a local taverna. Head to a taverna outside the resorts for an authentic experience. The gastronomy of the island is reason alone to visit, and the Chania area is particularly known as a foodie destination. Tradition merges with modern touches to produce delicious food made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. The Mediterranean diet prevails, with freshly caught seafood, vegetables and fruit, herbs, nuts, and olive oil used in abundance. Try the roast lamb or Stifado, a slow-cooked stew with beef, rabbit, pork, or lamb, cooked with shallots, red wine, tomatoes, and herbs. Moussaka is the traditional dish of Greece, and it is served in many tavernas on the island. Grilled calamari (squid) and prawn saganaki are popular, and vegetarians should try boureki made with courgettes, potatoes, mizithra cheese, and herbs, and dakos, which is a barley rusk, topped with olive oil, chopped tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
When is the Best Time for A Greek Villa Holiday?
● Peak season (July and August).
At this time of the year, the island is alive and vibrant. However, it is very busy as it is the school holidays in the Northern hemisphere. It is also very hot, averaging between 28 °C and the mid 30s, which can be a problem for some. Prices of holiday villas in Crete are at their highest, and you need to book a year in advance.
● Shoulder season (May - June and September - October).
The weather is perfect for both the beach and sightseeing, ranging between 25 °C and 28 °C. The prices of villa holidays are lower than in the peak season, and there are fewer crowds.
● Winter in Crete.
The beach resorts shut down, but the cities are still lively, and there are hotels open. Temperatures range from 14C - 20C during the day and 8C - 11C during the night. It is a great time for cultural tours as archaeological sites and museums are less busy than in the summer. March - April is the time to see the amazing wild flowers of Crete. Tours take you to the best spots, including the Botanical Gardens in the Chania region.
Essential Planning Tips for Your Crete
● Book early to ensure that you get the Crete villa rental you want. Book at least 6 -10 months in advance, longer if you want to come in July or August.
● When it comes to getting to Crete, there are direct flights from most European countries from April until the end of October. During the winter months, you will have to change planes in Athens. Aegean Airways is the national airline of Greece, and the flight from Athens to Crete takes about 50 minutes. You can also take a ferry from Piraeus, near Athens. It takes between 7.5 and 11.5 hours, depending on which ferry you decide to take.
Most holiday villas in Crete are in quiet areas, so you will need to hire a car in the majority of cases. Car hire is reasonably priced, as are taxis, though you should agree to a price in advance. Some villages are on bus routes, so check if they run if you don't want to drive in a foreign country.
● There are many amenities to look for when booking villas in Crete. Air conditioning is important; in fact, it is crucial in the summer months. All holiday villas in Crete must have an EOT licence, which is a permit issued by the Greek National Tourism Organisation allowing the owners to legally rent out their villas. An infinity pool is a great amenity because it gives the illusion that the water is merging with the landscape.
● Local markets are far superior to supermarkets and are the best places to get fresh vegetables, fruit, and cheese. However, many of the small family- owned shops buy direct from the farmers and sell fresh, local produce
● Villa holidays on the island generally have a host who will help with car rental, taverna reservations, and booking tours. It is an advantage as the host will know the best rates and the top places to visit.
Curating the Experience: Food, Culture, & Activities
● Gastronomy
Crete is well-known for its excellent Mediterranean gastronomy. Hire a private chef for your Crete villa rental. He or she will cook gourmet Cretan and Greek dishes. However, don't miss the opportunity of going to an authentic Cretan taverna. Not only will you taste delicious food and wine, but you will experience the local atmosphere. Many tavernas will have live traditional Cretan music on the weekends.
● Experiences
Your host will be able to arrange tours to museums, archaeological sites, wineries, and olive oil factories. You can even take a mythological tour in Chania. Being an island, there are also boat tours on offer, such as to the old leper colony on the island of Spinalonga, near Elounda in the east of the island, and another around Thodorou island from Chania, a sanctuary for the Cretan goat, the Kri Kri.
Ready to Find Your Dream Greek Villa
Holiday villas in Crete offer a magical experience. You will have a combination of luxury, privacy, breathtaking scenery, and an opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and gastronomy.
Browse the collection of Bnbstay Crete villas to rent. You are sure to find somewhere that you will fall in love with.
FAQ
● Is it better to stay in a hotel or villa in Crete?
If you want privacy, freedom, and immersion in local culture, together with high-end amenities, a villa is by far the best choice.
● Do I need a car when renting a villa in Crete?
Yes, unless your villa is in the town centre.
● Are Crete villas with a pool child-friendly?
They can be child-friendly as long as precautions are taken. Look for a property with a fenced-in pool and give your children constant supervision. However, it would be the same in a hotel, if not more difficult, with the number of people that might be in the pool.
● What is the average cost of a villa holiday in Crete?
The average cost ranges from £600 - £900 per week for standard properties, while luxury villas can be above £2000 per week. It depends on the season, with July and August being the most expensive time for villa holidays.
